Lubrication



July 305 109354. 1. BIJUR 2,009,430

LUBRICAT'ION Filed July 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l YIIIIIIIIIIIII` llllll July 30, 1935. 1 BIJUR 2,009,430

' LUBRICATION Filed July 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR July 3o, 1935.

Filed July 2, 1929 J. BIJUR LUBRICATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR `luly 30, 1935. J, BIJUR 2,009,430

v LUBRICATION Filed July 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Patented July 30, 1935 PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATION Joseph Bijur, New York, N. Y., assignor to Auto Research Corporation, a corporation of Dela- Ware Application July 2, 1929, Serial No. 375,366

41 Claims.

My present invention relates primarily to centralized lubrication and will be illustratively described in connection with the lubrication of the bearings oi' an automobile chassis, as for example with the lubrication of bearings on the steering knuckle and/or other elements swivelled to or otherwise moving in relation to the vehicle body carrying the central source of lubricant.

In its most specialized application the invention relates to continuous feed systems, that is,

to systems feeding lubricant substantially continuously throughout operation through distributing conduits having flow control restriction out lets of the drip plug type.

An object of the invention is to provide a system of this character operative to supply lubricant to various groups of bearings, as for example on the steering knuckle of an automobile front axle, from a source on the vehicle frame without regard to the tightness or the relative levels of the various bearings in -said groups.

Another object is to accomplish this result without using large bore conduits, or flapping conduits while excluding dirt and dust from the entire iiow system.

Another object is to provide a system of this character which entirely 'obviates the danger of siphoning between flow outlets at different levels and which moreover avoids overoiling or underoiling of any bearing.

Another object is to provide a continuous feed system operating to deliver lubricant at an extremely slow rate to various outlying bearings and to render the uniformity and correct propor tioning of this slow feed wholly independent of the position of the bearing relative to the main chassis structure.

Bearing in mind that each of the bearings to be lubricated requires but a few drops of oil for 40 many hours of running, the rate of continuous feed, whether caused by gravity or by positive impelling pressure, must be extremely slow to avoid excessive over-lubrication, especially when the oil is relatively fluid in summer. Accordingly the propulsive pressure of the oil from the source to the bearings must be extremely low, possibly of the order of a few ounces. This renders unfeasible the use of spring seated, lubricant pressure operated valves in the various conduits, conduit branches or drip plugs. With the omission of such valves, however, the lower outlets Vare apt to leak oil, particularly in the case of an automobile chassis while the vehicle is at rest, and the normal flow inducing means is ineffective, 'since at this time, one or more of the outlets at a higher level might serve as vents to permit draining.

With difference in the levels of the bearings much of the lubricant required for bearings, if fed across the swivel bearing thereof is apt to leak therefrom without reaching the bearing surface for which it is intended.

This is particularly true when a column of oil must be maintained beyond the crevice to supply bearings at higher level than the crevice.

According to the present invention most or all of the drip plug'ccntrol elements for the various bearings are disposed at nearly a common level.

The drip plugs or other flow restrictions means governing the supply of lubricant to the various bearings are preferably disposed in a cluster upon means rigid with and above the bearings and accordingly at nearly the same level as the various drip plugs on the rest of the system.

In the case of a knuckle of an automotive ves hicle, individual down flow conduits each controlled by its own drip plug, which may be valveless, lead lubricant along the knuckle structure to the various knuckle bearings and the bearings of the other front wheel control appurtenances, such for instance, as those of the brake operating mechanism. Where, as is commonly the case, Ythe bearings on the knuckle are at different levels and connected to the cluster by pipe legs at different lengths siphoning is negligible since two drip plugs or ow restrictions in series intervene in the siphoning pipe connection between bearings. Suction seated iiap valves may be provided however at the various drip plugs to positively inhibit siphoning. In some cases it is feasible to feed some one bearing at lower level by lubricant ow past a swivel crack, particularly through the loaded face thereof. I eliminate any condition where a plurality of higher bearings or a considerable number of bearings at any level are dependent for lubricant supply upon a stream of lubricant ilowing upwardly or in any direction beyond and across a leaky swivel joint.

The lubricant is preferably conveyed from the main frame to the cluster on the steering knuckle or other relatively moving structure part through a conduit or hose bridging from the frame and either flexible or otherwise capable of accommodating the, various steering and other movements of said knuckle relative to the frame of the vehicle.

The invention may be more fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of a Cil vehicle equipped with my improved system, the hood being partially broken away to expose the lubricant supply, feed and pressure control mechanism thereunder,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, partly in section and partly in elevation through the lower end of the reservoir,

Fig. 3 is a vertical View in section through the pump,

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the pump,

Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical section through a thermostatic pressure control for the system,

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of one of the drip plugs,

Fig. 7 is an inside elevational View of' a steering wheel knuckle, parts being shown in section and broken away,

Fig. 711 is a detail of a reverse dri-p plug usedv at the cluster fitting, Fig. 7,

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through the knuckle taken approximately on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the knuckle and the supply conduit thereto with parts broken away and in section,

Fig, l0 is an offset sectional View showing the upper portion of the kingk pin in section and the lower part of the brake post generally similar to Fig. 7, but more fragmentary and illustrating. a modification,

Fig. 11 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation taken approximately onA the line II--I I of Fig. 10,

Fig.l 12 is a plan' view of the embodiment of Fig. 10,

Fig. 13- is a transverse sectional detail on the line' I3--I3- of Fig. 11,.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 11.

Fig.y 15 is a. fragmentary view partly in section Iand partly in elevation and on a large-r scale of a modified form of apparatus,

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional side View of said modification, and

Fig. l? is a sectional detail through one of the anti-siphoning nap valves.

Referring now to Figs. l to 5 of the drawings there is shown a conventional chassis layout including a frame l0, with an engine II thereon and a lubricant tank I2 (fixed to a bracket 4I on dash board 42). A distributing conduit system Idextending along the chassis frame I9 is supplied from the tank by means hereafter described. At or near various bearings, the dist:ibuting` system has outlets such as the drip plugs d, the details of one of which are shown in Fig. 6. A flexible conduit I5 bridges from one of the main conduits I4 on the channel frame to the front knuckle and serves to supply various knuckle bearings as will be more fully described below in connection with the specific embodiments shown in the other figures of the drawings.

OneV of the drip plugs shown in detail in Fig. 6 may conveniently comprise a fitting I'I with a threaded end I8 for applic-ation at the bearing. High resistance to flow is determined by a pin IS nearly lling a longitudinal bore of the fitting. A strainer plug 20 of wool felt is provided at the inlet end of the fitting and backed by a wire mesh cap 2| to intercept solid particles which might otherwise reach the restriction crevice determined by the pin. A suitable compression coupling indicated generally at 22 serves to connect the end of one of the conduits I4 to the drip plug. The diameter of" the pin I9 determines the rating of the fitting and in operation the drip plugs proportion the distribution of lubricant to the various bearings.

A desirable form of apparatus is illustratively shown in Figs. 1 to 5 for maintaining a continuous slow feed oflubricant into the conduit system during running of the vehicle. For purposes of the present invention any of a wide variety of apparatus for maintaining the desired slow, continuous, feed might be utilized.

Oil from the reservoir I 2 flows through a filter chamber 25 at the bottom of the reservoir into a pipe 26 which conveys it to the inlet side of a gear pump I3, driven from the engine, illustratively` from the end of the shaft 21 of generator 28. The gears I`3' work in countersunk recesses in a casting 29 on the end of the generator, and which provides a bearing for the shaft 21. Pump inlets and outlets are provided in a second casting 3G, screwed or otherwise secured at 3|: in liquid-tight relationship against the outer face of' casting 29 andinsuch a manner that the pump inlet and outlet passageways 32 and 33 are brought into proper relationshipwith'the gears of the pump. A compression coupling 34 secures the lower end of the. pipe 26 with respect to a socket 35 in the casting 36 which socket at its lower end intersects the bore 32. The dead-end outlet bore 33 is transversely tapped by a socket 36 in which the outlet pipe 31 is secured by compression coupling 36'.

By reason of the fact that the Viscosity of oil rises enormously with fall of temperature within winter and summer ranges, thermostatic means is provided to correspondingly control the effective pressure of the pump I3 to attain approximate uniformity of oil feed to the line at all temperatures of use.

The pipe 311 instead of feeding direct to the line, delivers into an. inlet 38 formed in the cast Wall 39 of a thermostat casting. Casting 39 may ccnveniently provide a ledge portion 49 to rest upon and be bolted to the lower lip of the chassis frame IIJ where it is exposed to atmospheric temperature.

The oil entering inlet. socket 38 flows into a transverse passageway 43 from whence part of it passes into the main conduit system I4 and most of it passes through the valve controlled by-pass opening 44 into the interior of the thermostat casing whenc-e it is returned by way of outlet 45' through by-pass 45 to the inlet passageway 32 of the pump.

A spring-opposed ball check Valve 45 controls the by-pass 44 and a perforated thimble di backing the valve spring 48 and regulating the pressure on the valve is directly controlled by a thermostat 49 here illustrated as of the bi-inctallic plate type. The thermostat automatically increases the spring load on the by-pass valve 46 in cold weather and thereby permits a correspondingly higher pressure to build up, to compensate for increase in viscosity of the oil in the cold weather.

The thermostatic by-pass valve pressure is so adjusted as to cause lubricant to be fed into the conduit system at the extremely slow rate necessary tc meet the small lubricant requirements of the chassis without excessive overflow and the feed takes place continuously as long as the engine is running.

Referring new to Figs. '1, 8 and 9 of the drawings there is shown means for supplying lubricant to a steering knuckle and all of its associated tal Cil

bearings. In these figures illustratively the steering knuckle embodies a brake of the axle brake post type.

The knuckle, which in itself is not my invention, has a clevis .50, the upper and lower jaws of which carry bearing bushings 5| and 52 respectively, encircling the protruding upper and lower ends of the king pin 53, the latter being pinned or keyed at 54 into the axle eye. The knuckle is shown with a tie rod arm 55 the eye of which mounts the ball stud H0, and a steering or drag link arm 57, the eye of which mounts the ball stud H35. Illustratively the tie rod and drag link arms are formed from a unitary forging with a support boss 56 secured at 56 to the knuckle.

The knuckle is shown with a brake shield 59 through a xed bearing 6|) of which extends a brake cam operating rock shaft 5|. The rock shaft 6| is operated from an upstanding arm 62 connected by a link 63 with the outer end 64 of a lever 55 actuated from its inner end 65 and` pivoted at its hub 6l about the upstanding end of a brake post 68 which is affixed into the axle at 59.

To lubricate the various bearings on the knuckle from the frame, a special junction or dividing fitting 'le is provided, the extension lugs of which are bolted at '|2 to the upper part of the brake shield 59 at a level higher than the various knuckle bearings and preferably at the approximate level of the various drip plugs on the chassis frame. The face of the junction has a protruding integral socket 'i3 preferably substantially directly aligned with the axis of the king pin 53. In this socket is affixed the o-utlet or ferrule end "M oi the flexible rubber composition pressure transmitting bridging hose I6. At the inlet end of hose |5 is a ferrule 'l5 connected by a compression coupling i6 to a fitting Tl on the chassis frame. This fitting is preferably bolted at 18 to the channel frame bar It and is supplied from a connecting adapter '1S mounting the leg 8|! of a T fitting 8l in one of the main conduits M on the channel frame.

The junction fitting has a system of bores supplied from the inlet socket 'I3 thereof, and including the dead end longitudinal bore 82 and a plurality oi radiating bores 33, 33e, 33h which bores serve for application of the inlet ends of the respective tail pipes S, 85 and 85, each leading to a corresponding bearing on the knuckle. y In the enlarged sockets 8l at the outer ends of bores 83, 83e, 83b are disposed restriction fittings 89 preferably each in the iorm'of a reverse drip plug, that is, a drip plug mounted in the supply element and feeding to a delivery pipe. Inasmuch as the specific construction of these fittings is not in itself material to the invention claimed herein it is briefly noted that each of said fittings (Fig. 7a) has a socket Sil in its mounting end 9| accommodating a felt strainer 92. Preferably a fiap valve or suction seated valve 93 is lodged in the outlet socket ed of the fitting and retained in position by a cap piece 95 which serves as a reaction member for the compression coupling sleeve 96 tightened about the tail pipe 8d, 85 or 86 by its nut 9i, The fiow restriction pin 98 is lodged in a longitudinal axial bore in the fitting between the strainer 92 and the flap valve 93.

As shown in the drawings, tail pipe 84 leads from the corresponding drip plug 89 to a boss S9 on the upper end of the knuckle clevis 5U to which it is attached by coupling Hill. The pipe 8d thus feeds the cavity above the king pin 53, fitting trough 53aabout the top of the king pin from which it drains to the upper bearing bushing 5|. Part of the lubricant overiiowing from the trough passes downward through an axial bore |92 through the king pin into a well therebelow formed by lower cap 93 and lower bearing hushing 52 of clevis'5l.

The lubricant Welling up is distributed by spira-l groove m4 around the lower clevis bearing and into the thrust bearing 88. If desired, a large pin 53d may substantially fill the king pin bore and reduce the volume thereof (Fig. 8)

From the socket 83ab and its reverse drip plug Ble the tail pipe B5 leads along the knuckle structure and along the drag link or steering arm 5i to deliver into a system of bores lila (the details of which are' not material to the invention herein claimed and, therefore, not described) to lubricate the drag link bearing HB5. From the third reverse drip plug 2gb in the socket 83" another tail pipe 8S leads to an inlet socket H35 in the bearing iii) into which it is secured by a compression coupling nut le?. The bearing Si! has a peripheral groove l 58 thereabout from which lubriw cant passes laterally'to lubricate the length of the bearing and excess drains downward through pipe lil@ leading to the system of bores i l02L in the tie rod ball stud H8. To preclude air blocking, the bore of pipe E99 is made of relatively large diameter for the greater part of the length thereof as in my prior British Patent No. 254,655.

To lubricate the bearing surface of the brake stud 58, which is near the junction fitting, a short flexible pipe l l is connected therebetween. This pipe may comprise a rubber lining with a reinforcing hose thereabout. The inlet end of the lining is soldered into the lower part of a thimble H2 secured to a nipple H3 on the lower part of the junction fitting by means of a cap l lil, the inturned flange I4 of which overlaps the outward rim H2 of the thimble. A drip plug H5 of the cartridge type is friction fitted into a corresponding socket I5 in the junction fitting. The outlet end of the flexible pipe l ll is connected by a coupling |'l into the upper end of the brake stud 58, the latter having a short axial bore H8 communicating with the radial bore l i9 near the upper part of the brake lever hub 6i.

In operation lubricant propelled by the gear pump I3 or other source of continuous pre sure transmitted through the conduit system i!! l5 in parallel to the various drip plugs at the outlets,

thereof each of which feeds at its characteristic rate. The tail pipes 84, 85, 85 and i i i are prelerably of small diameter of the order of lAg, bor less, so small in fact, as to maintain the lubrlc nt therein by capillarity. Accordinglyas the lubricant is propelled under pressure past the various drip plugs, corresponding emission to the bearings occurs at the outlet ends of the tail pipes.

The pipe H29 which is fed from bearing being of large diameter does not fill up but the oil trickles down along its wall so that the tension of a column of liquid tending to dra'n the bearing 5i! is obviated. l

It will be understood that where it is desired not to lubricate the brake cam shaft bearing 5@ of a pipe corresponding to pipe B, but of Vgreater length, may extend direct from the drip plug 8', to the tie rod ball stud HB. This pipe, like pfpes 8f! and 85 may be of small bore and normally filled `with oil.

Siphoning, is avoided by the present construction, notwithstanding the difference in level between bearings 5l and |55 for instance, because in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and the cluster arrangements of Figs. 7, 10 and l5 are broadly applicable to lubricating installations other than chassis systems.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently Widely different embodiments oi' this invention could be devised Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawngis shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

, I claim:

l. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle With associated bearings, pivoted thereon, a king pin forming a pivotal mount therebetween, a junction ntting xedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof above and removed from the upper end of the king a flow line bridging from said chas to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, and a plurality or" conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and leading to various knuckle bearings.

2. In a motor vehicle, the combination oi a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle associated bearings, pivoted thereon, a junction tting iixedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a now line bridging from said chassis to junction, said junction having an inlet from bridging conduit, and a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and leading to various knuckle bearings, each conduit having a flow control element therein.

3. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chassis frame, an axle, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivot-ed thereon, a junction fitting xedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a flow` line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality ci conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and leading to various knuckleearings, each conduit having' a flow control element therein, substantially at the junction iitting.

4. In e. motor vehicle, the combination of a frame, an axle, a knuckle With associated bearings pivoted thereon, a junction iitting fixedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a ow line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality ci conduits leading from said junction and in communication With said inlet, and Vleading to various knuckle bearings, each conduit having a ovv control element therein, substantially at the junction tting, iiow through the respective conduits being in parallel and at rates proportioned by the flow control ttings. i

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chassis frame, an axle, a knuckle With associated bearings, pivoted thereon, a junction fitting iixedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a flow line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and leading to various knuckle bearings, and means preventing 6. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chassis frame, anaxle, a knucklewith associated bearings, pivoted thereon, a junction fitting xedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a flow line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and'leading to` edly positioned in respect to said knuckle nearV the upper part thereof, a iloW line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication with said inlet, and leading to various knuckle bearings, the junction fittingv being disposed substantially removed from and in alinenient with the pivot axis of the knuckle.

8. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chassis frame, an axle, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted thereon, a junction fitting fixed in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a flow line bridging from said chassis to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit, a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication With said inlet, and leading to various knuckle bearings, the junction tting being disposed substantially removed from and in alinement with the pivot axis of the knuckle, and having its inlet substantially facing the bridging conduit.

9. Means for lubricating steering knuckles including a supply tting rigid With theA knuckle having a reception chamber therein and a plurality of parallel-flow distributing conduits fed simultaneously from the chamber', means to effect a continuous supply of lubricant to the chamber, and means to proportion the ilow through said conduits from the chamber.

10.l Means for lubricating steering knuckles with associate bearings including a supply fitting rigid with the knuckle having a reception chamber therein and a plurality of parallel-flow distributing conduits fed simultaneously from the chamber, means to eiecta continuous supply of lubricant to the chamber, and means toproportion the flow through said conduits from the chamber, said fitting being arranged at a level intermediate the levels of the various bearings to be supplied by said conduits, said knuckle being arranged to have pivotal bearings on a king pin and said fitting being positioned on the knuckle above said king pin bearings.

1l. In a steering knuckle embodying a plurality of associated movable control appurtenances and bearings for such appurtenances, a lubricating system including a tting rigid with the knuckle having a central receptionchamber therein and a drip plug controlled means to proportionally supply in parallel a plurality of saidVY bearings from the fitting, said knuckle being arranged to have pivotal bearings on a. king pin and said fitting being positioned on the knuckle above said king pin bearings.

12. In a lubricating system for a motor vehicle of the type comprising a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle with I siphoning from one oi said conduits to another; associated bearings, pivoted thereon, means for feeding lubricant from thechassis to the Various bearings on the knuckle said means comprising a lubricant dividing tting fixedly positioned in respect to the knuckle near the upper part thereof, said fitting having a lubricant inlet and radiating lubricant outlets, a plurality of flow resistant filters in said radiating outlets and conduits carried by said knuckle and leading from the radiating outlets to knuckle bearings.

13. In a lubricating system for a motor vehicle of the type comprising a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted thereon, means for feeding lubricant from the chassis to the various bearings on the knuckle said means comprising a lubricant dividing fitting xedly positioned in respect to the knuckle near the upperpart thereof, said fitting having a lubricant inlet and radiating lubricant outlets, a plurality of wicklike flow resistant lters in said radiating outlets and conduits carried by said knuckle and leading from the radiating outlets to knuckle bearings, the inlet ends of the Wicks being tightly engaged with each other for simultaneous feed from the inlet.

14. In a lubricating system for a motor vehicle of the type comprising a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted thereon, means for feeding lubricant from the chassis to the various bearings on the knuckle said means comprising a lubricant dividing fitting nxedlypositioned in respect to the knuckle near the upper part thereof, said tting having a lubricant inlet and radiating lubricant outlets, a plurality offlow resistant filters in said radiating outlets and conduits carried by said knuckle and leading from the radiating outlets to knuckle bearings and means for continuously supplying lubricant under a pressure consistent with its fluidity to the inlet of said tting.

15. In a motor vehicle the combination of a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, and a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted to the latter, means for conveying lubricant under pressure from said chassis to said knuckle, said means comprising a flexible pressure conveying conduit bridging from said frame to said knuckle, a junction fitting fixedly positioned in respect to said knucklenear the upper part thereof and in substantial alignment with the knucklepivot, and having an inlet carrrying the outlet end of said flexible conduit, drip plugs protruding from said junction-fitting and in communication With said inlet, conduits leading from said drip plugs tobearings of the knuckle, and suction seated valves in some ofthe drip plugs.

16. Means for lubricating from a source on a main structure a pltuality of bearings on a correlated relatively movable structure, said means comprising a conduit leading from said related structure and adapted to compensate for movement vbetween said structures, a cluster of flow restriction elements on said related structure at the outlet end of said flexible conduit and distributing conduits leading from the respective restriction elements to the corresponding bearings of the related structure.

17. In a chassis lubricating system, means for conveying lubricant frei l a vehicle frame to a steering knuckle with associated bearings, said means comprising a yielding pressure tr-ansmitting conduit bridging from the vehicle frame to saidknuckle, a cluster of flow restriction outlets fixed relativelyto the knuckle and immediately contiguous to the outlet' end of said conduit and a plurality of distributing conduits carried by said knuckle and leading to bearings of' the knuckle.

18. In a chassis lubricating system, means for conveying lubricant from a vehicle frame to a steering knuckle With associated bearings, said means comprising a yielding pressure transmitting conduit bridging from the vehicle frame to said knuckle, a cluster of flow restriction outlets xedrelatively to the knuckle and immediately contiguous to the outlet end of said conduit and a plurality of distributing conduits carried by said knuckle and leading to the respective bearings of the knuckle, sai-d outlets being arranged substantially adjacent to the pivot axis of the knuckle.

19. In a chassis lubricating installation, a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a steering knuckle with associated bearings, having a pivot axis on the end of said supporting element, a cluster of ii-ow restriction elements above the pivot of said knuckle, conduits leading from the respective flow restrictions downward to Various bearings of the knuckle, and a pressure conveying yielding conduit bridging from the chassis to said cluster.

20. In a chassis lubricating installation, a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a steering knuckle with associated bearings, having a pivot axis on the end of said supporting element, a cluster of flow restriction elements above the pivot of said knuckle, conduits leading from the respective flow restrictions downward to various bearings of the knuckle, and a pressure conveying yielding conduit bridging from the chassis to said cluster, and means for conveying a pressure transmitted through said conduit simultaneously to the various ilow restrictions of said cluster, comprising a common chamber communicating with the bridging con-duit and with all of said flow restrictions.

2l. A steering knuckle with associated bearings for an automobile comprising a dividing ntting fixedly positioned in respect to said knuckle above the pivot thereof, an inlet socket therein adapted for connection with a source of pressure, a plurality of flow control elements supplied parallel from said socket, and lubricant conduits carried by said knuckle for delivering from the respective flow restrictions to various bearings of the knuckle.

22. In a vehicle of the type which includes a steering knuckle With associated bearings, having a pivot axis, the combination of a pressure chassis lubricating system therefor of the continuous feed type, comprising a source of continuous lubricant feed correlated during vehicle operation for continuous extremely sloW feed therefrom under pressure, a distributing system supplied from said source and having a plurality of flow restriction outlets at various bearings on the frame, a yielding pressure transmitting conduit bridging from the vehicle frame to the knuckle, a lubricant distributing unit rigid with said knuckle having an inlet for the outlet end of said conduit and having a plurality of contiguous flow restriction elements supplied in parallel from said inlet, and conduits from the respective flow restrictions to various knuckle bearings.

23. In a vehicle of the type which includes a steering knuckle having a pivot axis, the combination of a pressure chassis lubricating system therefor -of the continuous feed type, comprising a source of continuous lubricant feed correlated during vehicle operation for continuous extremely slow feed therefrom under pressure, a distributing system supplied from said source and having a plurality of flow restriction outlets at various bearings on the frame, a yielding pressure transmitting conduit bridging from the vehicle frame to the knuckle, -a lubricant distributing junction rigid with said knuckle having an inlet for the outlet end of said conduit, said junction having a plurality of drip plug units in corresponding sockets therein and having a passage therein communicating from said inlet to said various drip plugs, and conduits carried by said knuckle communicating from said drip plugs to various bearings on the knuckle.

24. In a lubricating system for a motor Vehicle of the type comprising a chassis, a supporting element connected to said chassis, a knuckle pivoted thereon having a plurality of associated bearings, means for feeding lubricant from the chassis to the various bearings on the knuckle, said means comprising a lubricant dividing fitting iixedly positioned in respect to the knuckle near the upper part thereof, said tting having a lubricant inlet and lubricant outlets, a plurality of flow resistant wicks in said outlets, conduits carried by said knuckle and leading in parallel from the outlets to the respective knuckle bearings, and means for applying lubricant under pressure at the inlet of said fitting, said junction having a iap valve in certain of the outlets thereof to prevent siphoning.

25. In a lubricating system for a motor vehicle Voi the type comprising a chassis, a supportlng element connected to said chassis, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted thereon, means for feeding lubricant from the chassis to the various bearings on the knuckle, said means comprising a lubricant dividing fitting fixedly positioned in respect to the knuckle near the upper part thereof, said fitting having a lubricant inlet and radiating lubricant outlets, a plurality of flow resistant wicks in said radiating outlets retained at their inner ends in engagement with each other for simultaneous feed from said inlet, conduits carried by said knuckle and leading from the radiating outlets to the respective knuckle bearings, means for applying lubricant under pressure at the inlet of said fitting, said iitting having a flap valve in each of the outlets thereof to prevent siphoning,-and a ilexible transmitting lubricant conduit bridging from said frame to said inlet socket and carried at its inner end thereby.

26. In a steering knuckle lubricating system for the associated'bearings thereof, a junction fitting rigid With said knuckle and having an-inlet and radiating outlet wicks pinched at their upper ends in said inlet, pipes extending from the respective outlets to the respective knuckle bearings to feed the drip from the tails or the wicks and means for admitting lubricant to said inlet.

27. In an axle of the type including a fixed king pin, a brake post contiguous thereto, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted upon said king pin, means for feeding lubricant to various bearings of said knuckle and to the bearing of said brake post, said means comprising an inlet at the upper end of said knuckle, a feeding passageway longitudinally of said king pin, a bore longitudinally of the axle web communicating'at one end With said king pin bore, and at its other end with a bore in said brake post.

28. In an axle of the type including a fixed king pin, a brake post contiguous thereto, a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted upon said king pin, means for feeding lubricant to various bearings of said knuckle and to the bearings of lsaid brake post, said means comprising an inlet at the upper end of said knuckle, a feeding passageway longitudinally of said king pin, a bore longitudinally of the axle web communicating at one end with` said king pin bore, and at its other end with a bore in said brake post, the axle bore communicating with the king pin and the brake post bores at the respective loaded sides thereof.

29. In an axle of the type including a iixed king pin, a brake post contiguous thereto, a knuckle with associated bearings pivoted upon said king pin, means for feeding lubricant to various bearings of said knuckle and to the bearing of said brakek post, said means including an inlet at the upper end of said knuckle, a passageway longitudinally of said king pin, a bore longitudinally of the axle web communicating with said king pin bore, said brakeV post affording inlet means communicating with theV other end of said bore and delivering lubricant upward along said brake post to the bearing thereof, a junction fitting rigid with said knuckle, now controlling outlets on said junction fitting, conduits extending from the respective outlets to the various bearings of the knuckle, one of said conduits leading to the aforementioned inlety of the upper king pin bearing.

3i). In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a frame, a knuckle supporting element, and a knuckle with associated bearings, pivoted thereto of the type having a brake thereon; the combination therewith of a junction ntting ailixed to thebrakeshield at a part thereof below said brake, a exible pressure transmitting conduit bridging from said frame to said fitting, one of the outlets of said fitting having an unwardly extending conduit leading to said brake mechanism, means restricting-the ilow 'through said conduit, means preventing return now throughY said conduit, one or more additional outlets on said junction tting having 'restriction members therein and pipes extending downward from said outlets to various subjacent bearings o f the knuckle.

3l. In a motor vehicle comprising a frame, an axle, a steering knuckle and a brake post thereon, means for conveying lubricant to said knuckle and said post, said means comprising a common inlet and dividing tting rigid with said knuckle at level above said king pin and said post, a conduit leading downward from thedividing tting to said king pin and a exible conduit leading downwardfrom said dividing fitting to the brake post.

32. In a motor vehicle of the type comprising a king pin supported from the chassis and having a knuckle pivoted thereon and provided with one or more control bearings, a brake post, a brake shield on said knuckle and a brake cam shaft having a bearing in said shield above -said king pin, means for lubricating said various bearings from a common source said means comprising a junction fitting aixed to said shield above said king pin and below said cam shaft bearing and having an inlet, a plurality of outlets communicating therewith, flow restrictions in the several outlets, pipes leading from said several restricted outlets to various bearings on said knuckle, the pipe of one such outlet extending upward to said brake shaft bearing, means associated with said various restrictions to prevent return flow therethrough, a passageway through said king pin and a connecting conduit to the bearing oi` said brake post to convey lubricant from the former to the latter.

33. In a motor vehicle of the type comprising a king pin aixed in the axle and having a knuckle thereon provided with plurality or control bearings, a, brake post in said axle, a brake shield on said knuckle and a brake cam shaft having a bearing in said shield above said king'pin, means for lubricating said various bearings from a common source said means comprising a junction tting airlxed to said shield above said king pin and below the cam shaft and having an inlet, a plurality of outlets communicating therewith, flow restrictions in the several outlets, feed pipes leading in parallel from said several `restricted outlets to various bearings on said knuckle, the pipe of one such outlet extending upward to said brake shaft bearing, means associated with said various restrictions to prevent return flow there through, and a flexible conduit leading from one of said outlets to the upper end of said brake post. y

34. In a liquid distribution system, a series of distributing conduits, a source of pressure common to said conduits, a liquid supply common to said conduits and a thermostatic spring seated valved lubricant ilow controlling device also common toA said conduits positioned between the source of pressure and the conduits in the path of lubricant flow permitting return flow of lubricant to said supply.

35. A liquid distribution system comprising a series of distributing conduits having a common inlet and a plurality of outlets, ow restrictions at the outlets of said conduits to proportion the distribution, a source of pressure to supply liquid to said inlet, a liquid supply to supply liquid to said source of pressure and a return from said inlet to the source of pressure, said return being provided with temperature responsive means to control the division of liquid between the return and the distribution system.

36. A lubricant distribution system comprising a lubricant supply, a source of pressure including a lubricant pump receiving lubricant from said supply, branch conduits receiving lubricant from said source of pressure and extending to points of distribution, n'ow controlling outlets at the points of distribution and temperature responsive automatically adjustable means to control the lubricant pressure supplied to said distribution system from said pump permitting return flow of lubricant to said supply.

37. In a chassis lubricating system, an elevated reservoir, a gear pump receiving lubricant from said` reservoir, distributing lines extending to various points of said chassis requiring lubrication, a thermostatic device interposed between said gear pump and said distributing lines and a return from said thermostatic device to said gear pump.

38. In a chassis lubricating system, an elevated reservoir, a, gear pump receiving lubricant from said reservoir, distributing lines extending to various points of said chassis requiring lubrication, a thermostatic device interposed between said gear pump and said distributing lines and a return from said thermostatic device to said gear pump, said thermostatic element comprising a connecting through conduit from the gear pump to the distributing lines, a shunt conduit from said through conduit leading to the return, a

spring-seated valve upon said'shunt conduit and a bi-metallic temperature-sensitive element to control the tension on said spring.

39. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a chas'sisrame, a knuckle with associated bearings pvoted thereon, a junction fitting fixedly positioned in respect to said knuckle near the upper part thereof, a flow line bridging from said chassis frame to said junction, said junction having an inlet from said bridging conduit and a plurality of conduits leading from said junction and in communication Vwith said inlet, and leading to Various knuckle bearings, said knuckle being provided With a brake shield and said fitting being fixed upon said brake shield.

40. The combination with a motor vehicle of the type having a chassis frame, and a knuckle pivoted therefrom, and carrying bearings; a lubricating installation comprising a lubricant reservoir, a continuous lubricant pump supplied from said reservoir, a conduit system upon said chassis supplied'from said pump, a conduit system on said knuckle supplied from said pump, a flexible conduit connection between said conduit systems, a restricted proportioning junction arrangement rigid with said knuckle and serving as a connection between said ilexible conduit and said knuckle conduit and a thermostatically controlled by-pass associated with said installation for regulating the pressure applied to said conduit systems.

41. Means for conveying lubricant from a supply to a plurality of bearings of a mechanism, said means comprising a conduit extending to said mechanism, a plurality of radiating flow control Wick elements brought together in close contiguity to each other at their inlet ends and supplied from the outlet end of said conduit and additional conduits enclosing and leading from the respective flow control elements to said bearings, said wick elements being all of about the same length and being independent of each other and being maintained at about the same level.

JOSEPH BIJ UR. 

